LITTLE HOPE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 12 July 1937, Page 5

LITTLE HOPE.

SEARCH FOR MRS. PUTNAM. 265,000 SQUARE MILES TO BE COVERED. (By Telegraph-Press Assn.-Copyright) Received Sunday, 7.30 p.m. HONOLULU, July 1.0. Although holding little hope for the rescue of Mrs. Earhart Putnam naval fliers from the Colorado scanned the Phoenix Isles, while the Lexington carrying 300 aviators hurried for a last chance survey of the South Pacific area.

The natives at Hull Island rushed from their huts fearful and wondering when three seaplanes soared over and one landed in the lagoon at the island, causing thousands of birds to take wing and seriously handicapping the landing aviators. They were forced to wait half-an-hour for natives to paddle out in a canoe. The white manager of the island, who was the occupant of the canoe, said he was the only white inhabitant of the island, on which only 100 natives, lived. He said he had a radio, but was not aware of Mrs. Putnam’s flight.

The Lexington is expected to reach and search the area on Monday. Naval authorities said they might unleash the entire fleet of 62 ’planes capable of covering 60,000 square miles daily. With this armada it is expected the search will be brought to a swift conclusion.* Shore patrols from the Swan are en route to Canton Island archipelagoes, the largest island.

Naval officials said it has not been decided how long the Lexington will stay. Admiral Murfin has blocked out an area of 2(35,000 square miles to be covered. Theoretically, the Lexington’s ’planes could scan the area in about four and a-half days. Officials said the Colorado must start back for Hawaii on Tuesday for fuel. She was ordered to meet and refuel the Swan during the day and supply the three destroyers convoying the Lexington. Fuel for the Itasca obtained earlier from the Colorado is deemed to be sufficient until July 18. 'The Swan does not need further fuel until July 20.

The Lexington carries 10,000 extra gallons of petrol, but the total amount is not given. Earlier it was stated the Lexington could keep its ’planes aloft for three days. Mr. Putnam has abandoned his vigil with the coastguard naval radio operators and has arranged to return to his home at North Hollywood. He said he has not' given up hope. ‘‘ 1 feel there is nothing more I can .do here,” he said. “Mrs. Putnam’s mother is at my home and I feel I should be with her.”

The Itasca advised by radio that the Colorado’s ’planes searched the neighbourhood of Winslow reef, thence south over more than a seven-mile front for a distance of 50 miles. The Itasca is continuing the search south and east of Baker Island the minesweeper Swan continues in a south-easterly direction searching in the vicinity of Canton Island. It is estimated that the naval searchers have already’ covered an area of 140,000 square miles. Naval officials are considering the theofy of Mr. H. How, a copra plantation worker in the South Seas, that the fliers may be found in the Gilbert Isles directly west of Howland. Mr. Gow said that the prevailing winds on the route from New Guinea -were southeast. If Mrs. Putnam was for&ed down at sea after overshooting Howland Island the current would have carried her near the Gilbert group. Radio experts, who doubted the authenticity of many of the messages purported to be from Mrs. Putnam, said the present absence of messages was helping the hunt by eliminating confusion. due to conflicting positions. Naval and aviation wireless experts are now convinced that Mrs. Putnam was driven off her course by winds, and not having u wind-drift instrument., circled the Phoenix area and possibly landed there. The search to date has not yet touched the southern portion o: this area, where, it is believed is themost likely place she will be found. The Colorado’s aeroplanes have not sufficient range to reach the Gardner and Hull Isles which are furthest south from the Phoenix group. The Lexington ’s ’planes are expected to traverse these.

COST OF SEARCH. . UNITED STATES NAVY CRITICISED (Received This Day, 9.10 a.m.) WASHINGTON, July 11. As hope for Mrs. Earhart Putnam waned when the Navy officials intimated that they were not hopeful of success, sharp criticism was voiced in the House in regard to the costliness of the hunt. Representative Scott said it was time some authority was announced that the Navy would not be used in a search “for publicity stunt” fliers in the future. “Do you think that if some poor fisherman got lost in the Pacific the Navy would spend 250,000 dollars for a search,” he asked.